.Iglesia ni Cristo believes that God will
destroy the world
by means of fire on Judgment Day as the Bible
teaches, so no one
should conclude that the fire God will use
is not real or only a figure of speech.

Interesting Questions-130

Destruction of the world by fire

Letter to the Editor: PASUGO, Date 2000, p.2

I NOTICE THAT our religions agree on many points
like not eating blood and not believing in the Trinity. We also
believe that all other religions and even so-called Christian
churches are of Satan. But why do you believe that Jehovah will
destroy the world by fire? Isn't that just a figure of speech and
shouldn't be taken literally?

Name withheld

Editor's reply:

We believe that God will destroy the
world by means of fire on Judgment Day as the Bible teaches. Apostle
Peter explained this by comparing what would happen on Judgment Daywith what happened during the time of
Noah:

“For this they willfully forget: that by
the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out
of water, by which the world that then existed perished, being
flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which now exist
are kept on store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day
of judgment and perdition of ungodly men… But the day of the Lord
will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass
away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent
heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned
up.” (II Pt. 3:5-7, 10, New King James Version)

As the ancient civilization was
destroyed literally through a great flood, the present world will
also be literally destroyed by fire on Christ’s Second Advent.
Apostle Paul wrote:

“And to give who you are troubled rest
with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty
angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know
God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” (II
Thess. 1:7-9, NKJV)

Even before the Christian era, God
forewarned through His prophets that He would destroy the world by
fire:

“Neither their silver nor their gold
shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath; But
the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, for He
will make speedy riddance of all those who dwell in the land.”
(Zeph. 1:18, NKJV)

Hence, just as God’s wrath is real, no
one should conclude that the fire He will use in destroying the
world is unreal or only a figure of speech.

We would also understand that Christ
does not by Himself know when the day of Judgment will come, but
only the Father in heaven does (Mt. 24:36).

36 “But of that day
and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,but My Father only.(Mt. 24:36, NKJV)

In spite of this fact,
Jehovah’s Witnesses has repeatedly tried to predict the Second
Advent of Christ and failed consistently. These failures were
published in its magazines, proving that it is not the true
religion.

The true religion teaches that only the
Heavenly Father knows the exact time of the day of Judgment and that
He will destroy the earth by means of real fire as written in the
Bible.

___________________

Bible Study
Suggestion: If you have further questions, please feel free
to visit the Iglesia ni Cristo congregation nearest you. A minister or
an evangelical worker would be happy to answer any biblical question
you have in mind. For the latest Worship Service Directory of
Iglesia ni Cristo Locales and Congregations outside the Philippines,
please visit www.iglesianicristoworshipservice.com or just click
link at home page.